First Visa Applications for Displaced and German Jews Filed with U.S. Consulate

March 19, 1946

Frankfurt (Mar. 18)

The HIAS today began filling applications with the U.S. consulate here for visas for displaced Jews, available under President Truman’s directives. At the same time, it began issuing corporate affidavits, of which he will provide 4,500.

The first affidavit was issued to Rabbi Leopold Neuhaus of Frankfurt, and his life. Both are survivors of Theresienstadt, and Rabbi Neuhaus is believed to be the only remaining rabbi in Germany. Their son is the rabbi of a New York City congregation.

All applicants must now wait until they are called up by the consulate for further action on their applications. It is hoped that the first transport of immigrants will leave for the United States in the first week of May.

The JDC office announced today that Cecelia Davidson, an immigration expert attached to the JDC, National Refugee Service and the National Council of Jewish Women was recovering in an army hospital at Marburg from injuries suffered in an automobile accident last week. Sylvia Neulander of the Jewish Agency, who was injured at the same time, has already been discharged from the hospital.